Meet the Summer Air Crop
I am so proud of how this second design turned out, perfect for lazy day picnics with meats and cheeses and wine or windows down driving and screaming the lyrics to your favorite songs at the top of your lungs.
I love how each element of this tank top has a repetitive nature to it. You fall into a rhythm while working this piece up that makes it really soothing. The lace repeat is simple enough to follow, then you get some mindless stockinette before working the front and back panels (and each strap) identically. 
My favorite way to pair this top has been with the denim skirt pictured to the right, but I love how my test knitters styled their projects so differently! This versatile knit dresses down with denim or can be styled with a high-waisted skirt and a blazer for the office. I can't wait to work this piece into my teacher wardrobe!
Construction and Fit
The Summer Air Crop is knit in the round from the bottom up until the underarms; the front and back panels are then split before working the straps that form the V neckline. The hem is worked with an easy to remember lace pattern and a delicate garter stitch edge borders the armholes and neckline, continuing into the straps which are knit together using the three-needle bind off.
Though designed as a cropped tank top, this design is easy to modify for your perfect length. This pattern has been designed with 0-2" [0-5 cm] of negative ease for a close-fitting product. Feel free to size up or down to get your desired fit!
Choosing Your Yarn
My sample was knit up with King Cole Cottonsoft DK, a 100% cotton yarn. It is very soft, living up to its name! I was pleasantly surprised that this yarn holds its shape well, no matter how I wash or block it.
I knit up a second sample in Lion Brand Truboo, a 100% rayon from bamboo fiber, and the drape on it is unreal! That sample did stretch with wear, so if you're using a similar fiber I'd recommend knitting the straps conservatively so that they don't wind up too long.
For sizes XS (S, M, L, XL)(2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) you will need 2 (2, 2, 2, 3)(3, 3, 3, 3) skeins of King Cole Cottonsoft DK or approximately 285 (355, 385, 400, 475)(490, 540, 595, 655) yards [261 (325, 352, 366, 434)(448, 494, 544, 599) meters] of another DK weight, category 3 yarn.
Choosing Your Size
To choose your size, find your bust measurement below. Negative ease is already built into the pattern, so there are no calculations on your part!
XS: 28-30" [71-76 cm] bust
S: 32-34" [81-86 cm] bust
M: 36-38" [91-97 cm] bust
L: 40-42" [102-107 cm] bust
XL: 44-46" [112-117 cm] bust
2XL: 48-50" [122-127 cm] bust
3XL: 52-54" [132-137 cm] bust
4XL: 56-58" [142-147 cm] bust
5XL: 60-62" [152-157 cm] bust
This pattern has been tested in sizes XS-2XL. If you have a bust size of 52-62" [132-157 cm] and you are interested in testing this pattern, please send me an email!
Difficulty
This is an advanced beginner knit, with linked video tutorials to guide you!
You'll need to know how to: cast on, knit in the round, knit flat, slip stitches, increase (yarn over), decrease (SK2P, SSK, K2tog, SSP, P2tog), three-needle bind off, and bind off.
Notions & Needles 
Stitch markers (1 in a different color for BOR, 1 locking), scissors, stitch holders or scrap yarn, tapestry needle, measuring tape
Size US 6/4mm 20-36" [50-90 cm] circular needles, or any needle size to obtain gauge
Size US6/4mm DPN for three-needle bind off
Test Knitters
My test knitters killed their projects and I just have to show them all off! I appreciate each one of my test knitters and the time & energy they put into knitting up this design and catching my mistakes. Check out these amazing finished Summer Air Crops, then scroll to see the yardage and yarn subs used.
Tester Yardage
XS: 276-286 yards [252-262 meters]
S: 341-420 yards [312-384 meters]
M: 351-392 yards [321-358 meters]
L: 388-481 yards [355-440 meters]
XL: 448-479 yards [410-437 meters]
2XL: 490 yards [448 meters]

*Note: Some test knitters added length to their Summer Air Crop, altering the average yardage shown here. The yardage listed in the pattern is for the pattern as written. If you plan on adding extra length, you may need more yarn!
Yarns Used
Rosários 4 Cotton Reuse
Puppy Yarn Pima Denim
Anette Eriksson Eco Cotton
We Are Knitters The Cotton
Lion Brand Truboo
Cascade Ultra Pima
Knit Picks CotLin
Lion Brand Comfy Cotton Blend
Hayfield Fiesta
Miss Babs Beechwood
King Cole Cottonsoft DK
Bernat Softee Cotton
URTH Monokrom Cotton
Paintbox Cotton DK
Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo DK
Drops Cotton Viscose